2005 November

Author of The Nordstrom Way to Customer Service Excellence

“ As an author and speaker on customer service, I am constantly talking to Corporate America about being more responsive to the people who buy their products and services. Establish a dialogue with customers. That's where corporate blogging comes in. Using humor, insight, opinion and fact, Debbie Weil has produced an invaluable handbook for starting—and sustaining—the conversation between buyers and sellers. ”

Senior vice president and general manager of Business Critical Servers, Hewlett Packard

“ The first clear-eyed look at the what and how of blogging as a corporate communications strategy. Both entertaining and informative, Debbie Weil's book allays fears surrounding blogging and provides sensible advice on how to write an effective blog, who should write it and how to measure success. This excellent primer will satisfy even the most skeptical of managers. If you fear you'll get it wrong, this book is the best place to start in order to get it right! ”

So waddya think? I kind of like it. There’s been some discussion about whether "Hello" is the right word for the thought bubble. I think it’s open-ended and neutral enough that it’s fine. Kudos to Penguin Portfolio’s designer!

Click image to see it full-size.

It’s like childbirth. (Apologies if this metaphor doesn’t work for you.) Scary, exhilarating and, yes, painful. To be precise, it feels like the last stage of giving birth. Suddenly it’s going faster, there’s an unstoppable momentum and you know there will be a result that will make it all worthwhile.

And yes, I’ve been through it three times (childbirth, not writing a book) with two remarkable daughters (see Amanda running the Boston Marathon here) and a remarkable son to show for it.

I’ve still got a lot to write and wrestle with… onward.